Seems like mostly NFL cleats have been treated...I've exclusively used soccer cleats for ulti. That's not to say that one variety is worse/better - that's just the way I roll
A quick bit of context: I'm 6', ~70kg, play predominantly on firm grass, slight pronator with narrow feet, have been involved in track athletics and am not nearly as good a player as I would like to think I am. Am also a shoe slut, so can give a quick rundown (disclaimer: opinionated and biased) of a variety of relatively recent soccer shoes.
Note that the Nike & Adidas shoes have no toe cleat - there is about a 1/2"-1" clear space at the front of the soleplate with no cleat. Some players swear by the toe cleat; one of the best players I know does perfectly well without it.
Mercurial Vapor IV FG: Took a long time to break in, still give blisters on both sides of the heel. Reasonably lightweight, narrow, provides minimal impact cushioning and support, relatively flat fitting sole/contour, fairly rigid upper reduces rolling sensation when changing direction. Love the cleat pattern (which has now changed in the forefoot for the Vapor VI's...), forget about wearing them if playing in puddles – watertightness due to lace cover means they fill up like gumboots and won’t drain. Otherwise, responsive feel and quite stable.
Mercurial Vapor SL: As above, but lighter, run 1/2 size large, stiffer sole plate, lovely big heel cleats that dig into the grass something chronic, doesn't have an inner cleat under the ball of the foot which can be noticeable when trying to accelerate and turn simultaneously, relatively rigid soleplate (carbon fibre) for good toe-off, watertight again. Provide great feel of the ground underneath and grip very well.
Mercurial Superfly: 1/2 size large, even longer time to break in, wider and taller around the forefoot, tongue is annoyingly short such that the top row of laces often slips over the tongue, top points of sides dig into ankles on inside and outside as they are slightly high compared to rest of shoe opening, got rid of those stupid pads inside the heel but still rubs worse than the SL’s and IV’s, also a fairly firm carbon fibre soleplate, heel cleats again, feels very plastic-y (like hard Tupperware plastic, not cling wrap plastic). Typical Mercurial responsiveness/feel but the upper is too rigid and uncomfortable for the $$$.
Nike Total 90 II K-FG (note the current T90 III's are quite different): Kangaroo leather provides for a nice snug fit all around the foot, cleat pattern is solid and individual cleats are large and well-defined, very little impact support and resulted in me developing severe and lasting plantar fasciitis, frustrating dual lacing system to facilitate striker's pad where the laces would usually be, very heavy upper due to rubber striker’s pad, very flexible soleplate, get a strange feeling of the shoe upper ‘sliding’ over the top of the soleplate when changing direction hard. Great traction but less lateral stability – for the extra weight I’d recommend the Asics...
Asics Tigreor 3 IT: raised heel with associated cushioning and support does wonders to reduce impact injuries & soreness, kangaroo leather provides for great fit, cleats too shallow/small esp. under forefoot, slightly angled cleats (i.e. from base of soleplate to tip of cleat) don't stick into the grass as well as a straight cut – appreciably more slips while wearing these, smallish toe cleat/accumulation of plastic, more contoured sole provides good arch support, raised heel (patented...booo!!!) feels phenomenal. Great training/general use cleat, but lacks traction performance that I would like for a high-level tournament.
Adidas adiZero F50 FG: ‘tis new so not had much time in it, very light indeed, smallish cleats provide surprisingly good traction, narrow rearfoot but widens significantly through the mid- and forefoot, tall through the midfoot although a higher arch than I expected, large uncleated area at toe of soleplate, soft in the forefoot but rigid midfoot, surprisingly secure rearfoot locks the heel in nicely, counterintuitive asymmetric lacing for soccer strikers slightly restricts tightening around the midfoot. Early signs seem very positive...
General comments: kangaroo leather provides a more contoured fit around the foot as it tends to mould into shape, there is a very noticeable difference between the weight of the leather shoes and the lighter synthetic shoes – even the difference between the Superfly & adiZero is noticeable – particularly when chasing a long disc, never assume that just because one size works for you in one type of shoe that it is applicable to another type (soccer or NFL cleats) by the same manufacturer, my method is usually to try a shoe on at a store and then order from Eastbay, I get over the absence of a toe cleat when throwing by rolling onto the top of my toe but not dragging (interpret the rules as you may...WFDF 18.2.6.4), lightweight soccer boots are generally lighter than lightweight NFL boots but have lower cut ankles, only the Asics provide any real support/cushioning, I find that most of the aforementioned boots accommodate my own capabilities in terms of cutting/handling/top end running – the SL’s or perhaps F50’s are my top pick due to traction, lightweight and feel at the sacrifice of a bit of comfort.
Remember, this is all just an opinion
Hope it helps some of you - sorry about the length.
